Will Detroit Lions play starters in preseason Week 1 vs. New York Giants? | Sporting News

The Detroit Lions are currently gearing up for their first preseason contest of 2024, which will take place against the New York Giants on Thursday, Aug. 8, in East Rutherford.

In the lead up to the game, the two teams are taking part in joint practices. Ahead of Tuesday’s session with Big Blue, head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the starters possibly playing in the exhibition opener.

Campbell made it clear that the team’s most important players going into 2024 aren’t likely to see many reps, if any at all. He also confirmed that quarterback Jared Goff isn’t likely to see the field in preseason Week 1.

“Some of the guys we know we’re going to count on during the season, I don’t see them necessarily playing, and if they do, not very many reps,” Campbell said. “But our young guys are going to get a lot of these (reps), and developmental guys are going to get a ton of these reps.”

“I don’t see Goff playing in this one,” he added.

One of the team’s projected starters who falls into the “young guys” category is the team’s first-round pick, cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is expected to play on the boundary opposite Carlton Davis in Year 1.

There’s a good chance we see him in action in order for Arnold to get some actual game experience, so that’s one starter who should get reps. We’ll also see a slew of other rookies take the field, including cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and running back Sione Vaki.

We’ll also have a close eye on kicker Jake Bates, who has struggled in practice of late. It’ll be interesting to see if the Lions deploy the veterans vying for the slot corner job in Amik Robertson and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Rakestraw has also gotten looks there this offseason and could be in the mix, as well, especially now that Emmanuel Moseley will miss a ton of time with a torn pectoral.